what inspired you to travel?

am in the middle of my degree final exams (exhausted and had enough!)If i had a choice i wouldnt sit them as ive deferred them for a year already! seems like my plans to backpack rtw are so far away from now!

so to cheer myself up-what inspired you all to travel from rtw to little holidays and what did you learn from the exps about yourself and the country?

I think it was my parents who inspired me, they've always taken me to places and taught me to respect and be interested in different cultures!, that I know I am eternally lucky for...

I got loads of courage from being away especially on my own, I learnt to push myself in situations where before I would have walked away because I was afraid!I can talk to strangers more easily.And I've also learnt to deal with bad situations, I mean emotionally to be able to let go of things.

Good luck with the rest of your exams, I'm feeling some of your pain I've got exams in a couple of weeks but unlike you they're not so important

m

3.
Posted byCupcake(Travel Guru 8468 posts) 12y
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Grace!Cheer up! It sounds like you are almost finished with your studies!I have to say I was torn...chuck it all and travel? Or work...plod along...save...then travel...all I have learned is what works for one person doesn't work for another. I hope there is a happy medium out there...at some point you have to throw caution to the wind. At least I believe there can be such a thing as too much planning!

But, I digress....I realized there was a great big world out there...that I haven't seen yet! That is what inspired me. (Only to find out that the more you travel, and the more you see...the smaller this world really is)

I wish you much luck and happiness with your studies and travel plans!What are your travel plans? Keep us posted!~CC

4.
Posted bypeterW(Budding Member 7 posts) 12y
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Well, just think now your study days are over its time to find a job, and then you'll only get 25 days or so a year in which to persue your passions instead of those lovely long summer breaks etc (those where the days). So make the most of what you have now...

Back to the question of what made me travel: Most of Europe was with family and a lot outside has been visiting friends and family. I prefer to go somewhere I know someone at least as a lauch point. Last big trip was to Hawaii for a wedding. Results of photography can be seen on -snip-

[ Edit: Sorry, no promos in the forum please. ]

5.
Posted bywouterrr(Travel Guru 3383 posts) 12y
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I am also like you (still) a student and travelling is really my passion (like everyone else at TP). 2 years ago I had the oppertunity for a overland travel from Holland to India. And in two years I'm planning another big adventure trough south-east asia (I am only saving and saving and saving). But sometimes I am wondering if this not do some harm to your later career. I mean, what will your employer say when you don't have any working experience (because you only travelled)? What is your opinion?

Then to your question (sorry ). From my birth my dad told my about other cultures. So I really was born to travel. My father went (as a hippy, during 1972) overland to india, and I always was obsessed with his stories. End 2 years ago my dream came true, and I am still thinking about it every day

6.
Posted bysalsachick(Inactive 77 posts) 12y
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Hi Grace....ok you asked what inspires people to travel.Well since I was a young child I was fascinated with far off places.One of the first schoolbooks I remember was about Easter Island and it really caught my imagination...all those big stone statues.So...i think it was in my soul to travel!!also my star sign is saggitarius and we are the travellers of the zodiac apparently!!!!But whatever your age or situation if you get the chance to travel....do it!!!!you will learn more from travelling than anything else.Good luck (and don't get too stressed about your exams!!)

7.
Posted bysteff(Travel Guru 1162 posts) 12y
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Hi Grace,

I just recently had an important final exam I really had to study weeks for, so I can definetely relate to what you are going throughBut let me reassure you as soon you pass the exam things will brighten up and concerning your rtw you will know the hard work was worth it!My inspiration to travel was probably my infinite thirst for exploring more than my home town has to offer. I also have to thank my parents for their moral support anytime I left home.

8.
Posted byKingwindle(Respected Member 302 posts) 12y
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the though of work after uni made me go away!

9.
Posted byCupcake(Travel Guru 8468 posts) 12y
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Quoting Kingwindle

the though of work after uni made me go away!

Brutally honest! I love it!

10.
Posted bymtlchica(Respected Member 922 posts) 12y
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A backpacking trip I took a few years ago did. I thought it would be fun, but back then I thought I was a tourist, not a traveller. Turns out that experiencing cultures and ways of life different than my own gave me the travel bug! Now I'm planning on going to places in South America, Asia, Africa and Australia/New Zealand in the next few years (in no particular order and depending on my budget) because I have to quench my travel thirst. As for particular trips it could be something someone has posted on here, to something I saw on television, or something a friend of mine said. I take inspiration from everything!